Antenna bracket

ABSTRACT

An antenna bracket comprising an angled member of insulating material having first and second legs. The first leg has a channel which is adapted to mate with a portion of a support member, and the second leg has at least one bore adapted to receive an end of an antenna element. A terminal assembly is provided within a chamber in the second leg and is adapted to have the ends of the antenna element and of a lead-in wire electrically connected thereto. A fan dipole antenna assembly is also disclosed.

United States Patent 11 1 1111 3,761,939

Bryant, Jr. Sept. 25, 1973 ANTENNA BRACKET 3,549,785 12/1970 Timko eta1. 343/712 [75] Inventor: Everette Tyler ry n J FOREIGN PATENTS ORAPPLICATIONS Newberry 1,138,125- 10/1962 Germany 343/873 [73] Assignee:C/P Corporation, Columbia, S.C.

[22] Filed: Feb. 18, 1971 Primary Examiner-Eli Lieberman Appl. No.:116,416

Ar!0rneyKenyon & Kenyon Reilly Carr & Chapin [57] ABSTRACT An antennabracket comprising an angled member of insulating material having firstand second legsv The first leg has a channel which is adapted to matewith a portion of a support member, and the second leg has at least onebore adapted to receive an 'end of an antenna element. A terminalassembly is provided within a chamber in the second leg and is adaptedto have the ends of the antenna element and of a lead-in wireelectrically connected thereto. A fan dipole antenna assembly is alsodisclosed.

18 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures Patented Sept. 25, 1973 3,761,939

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTOEAE'YJ Patented Sept. 25, 1 973 3,761,939

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 l 3 INVENTOR.

j ET seam 7945/? fiem z e ANTENNA BRACKET FIELD OF THE INVENTION Thisinvention relates to an antenna bracket and more particularly to a newand improved antenna bracket for supporting the dipole elements of a fandipole assembly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In general, outdoor antennas have comprisedantenna elements and support brackets which are of exposed metallicconstruction and are accordingly susceptible to corrosion and oxidationdue to adverse weather effects and due to environmental pollution suchas smog, soot, smoke and salts. Such ambient conditions have adverselyaffected both the quality of the signal received and also the structuralstrength of the antenna. In addition, electrical connections between thedriven elements and lead-in wire have generally been exposed to suchadverse weather effects and other ambient conditions which has resultedin undesirable detuning and poor signal reception. Such antennas havethus required frequent maintenance and replacement of antenna componentsand lead-in wires. Many outdoor antennas have also been difficult toassemble and disassemble thus increasing the time necessary to erect theantenna and to maintain it once it ,is erected.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION It is thus an object of the present invention toprovide an antenna bracket for an outdoor antenna which is resistant tocorrosion and oxidation caused by adverse weather effects andenvironmental pollution.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an antennabracket for supporting the driven elements of an antenna in whichelectrical connections between the elements and a lead-in wire areunexposed to the surrounding environment.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an antennabracket which is substantially maintenance-free over a long period oftime and which may.

be quickly assembled into an antenna assembly.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a new andimproved fan dipole antenna assembly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In general, these and other objects andadvantages are achieved according to the present invention wherein anantenna bracket is provided comprising an angled member of insulatingmaterial having first and second legs. According to an aspect of theinvention, the first leg is provided with a channel in a face thereofwhich is adapted to receive a portion of a support member to which thebracket is to be secured and the second leg is provided with at leastone bore adapted to receive the end of an antenna element. The secondleg is also provided with a chamber in communication with the borehaving a terminal assembly of conductive material positioned therein towhich the end of the antenna element is adapted to be electricallyconnected.

According to a further aspect of the invention another bore is providedin the said second leg for receiving the end of a lead-in wire which isalso electrically connected to the terminal assembly. Preferably, theterminal assembly comprises a plate, a screw projecting substantiallyperpendicularly from the plate, and a pair of nuts threaded on the platebetween which the end of the lead-in wire is trapped to terminate it tosaid assembly.

According to another aspect of the invention the second leg comprises afirst segment integral with the first leg and a second separable segmentadapted to be mated with and secured to the first segment. In thisaspect of the invention the bores in the second leg are comprised ofcomplementary channels in opposing faces of said first and secondsegments of said second leg. Preferably, a water tight seal is effectedby cementing said first and second segments together to form said secondleg and by cementing said antenna elements within said bores.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention dipole elementsare supported in the bores of said bracket to form a dipole antennaassembly. Preferably, said dipole elements are cemented within saidbores to provide a water tight seal therefor.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an antennawith a fan dipole utilizing a preferred embodiment of antenna bracketaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially sectional, plan view of the fan dipole of theantenna of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the fan dipole of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the embodiment of antenna bracket used inthe fan dipole of FIG. 1 3.

FIG. 5 is a partially sectional elevational view of the bracket of FIG.4.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to FIG. 1 there isshown a receiving antenna having a fan dipole assembly provided with apair of antenna brackets according to a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention. As shown, receiving antenna 10 comprises a boom 12secured to a mast 14 by bracket assembly 16. Boom 12 supports aplurality of parasitic antenna elements such as reflector elements l8and director elements 20. Also secured to boom 12 is a driven fan dipoleassembly 22 which in conjunction with parasitic elements 18 and 20provides FM and TV signal reception.

Fan dipole assembly 22 generally comprises a plurality of dipole antennaelements 24 supported by antenna brackets 26 secured to boom 12.

Referring more particularly to FIGS. 2 and 3 it is seen that brackets 26are secured to boom 12 and the entire boom and dipole assembly aresecured by mast 14 by means of bolts 28 passed through holes 30 inbrackets 26, holes 32 in boom 12, holes 34 in mast brackets 36 ofassembly 16 and through washers 38 and 40 and nuts 42 threaded on theends of bolts 28. Brackets 36 are provided with ribs 37 for non-slipgripping of mast 14.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5 there is shown in greater detail apreferred embodiment of the antenna bracket of the present invention. Asshown, bracket 26 comprises an angled member 43 having a first leg 44and a second leg 46. Leg 44 is provided with a channel 48 on its uppersurface which is adapted to receive a portion of boom 12 to whichbracket 26 is secured. Channel 48 has a configuration substantiallycomplementary to the configuration of boom 12 to insure proper mating ofbracket 26 thereto. Since boom 12 is substantially cylindrical in theillustrated embodiment, channel 48 is also made substantiallysemi-cylindrical so that when a pair of brackets 26 are secured to boom12, they substantially enclose boom 12.

Leg 46 is preferably flared at its distal end and is comprised ofa firstsegment 49 integral with leg 44 and a second separable segment 50.Segments 49 and 50 are respectively provided with complementary channelsS2 and 54 in opposing faces thereof to form bores when segments 49 and50 are mated together, said bores being adapted to receive the ends ofdipole elements 24. Members 49 and 50 are also respectively providedwith complementary channels 56 and 58 for the reception of the end of alead-in wire 60.

A chamber or recess in leg 46 is formed from recess 62 in segment 49 andaperture 64 in segment 50. A terminal assembly 66 of conductive materialis positioned in the chamber comprising recess 62 and aperture 64 andcomprises an electrically conductive plate 68, screw 70 projectingsubstantially perpendicularly to plate 68, and nuts 72 threaded on screw70. Nuts 72 are adapted to trap the end of conductor 74 of wire lead 60therebetween to electrically connect lead-in wire 60 to assembly 66.

Dipole elements 24 are also electrically connected to terminal assembly66 as by soldering the conductors 75 thereof to plate 68. Dipoleelements 24 are preferably formed of coaxial cable 75 sheathed infiberglass 93 in a known manner. In such case the outer conductors ofthe coaxial cable would be soldered to plate 68.

it will be understood that dipole elements 24 may be made of conductorsother than coaxial cable as, for example, solid or tubular elongatedmembers of conductive material sheathed in fiberglass or otherinsulating material. It will also be understood that dipole elements 24may be terminated to assembly 66 in any known manner such as by brazing,spot welding or the like.

Aperture 64 in leg 50 is provided with an enlarged portion 76 at the topthereof forming ledge 78 in segment 50. A cover plate 80 of insulatingmaterial is adapted to be seated on a ledge 80 in enlarged portion 76 toenclose the chamber formed by opening 64 and recess 62 and to shieldterminal assembly 66 and the exposed terminations of dipoles 24 and wire60 thereto, from the environment.

Plate 80 is provided with a hole 82 through which the end of screw 70 isadapted to project when segments 49, 50 are secured together and a plate80 is seated on ledge 78. A cap nut 84 of insulating material is adaptedto be threaded on the end of screw 70 to secure plate 80 to segment 50.

Segment 50 is preferably secured to segment 49 by means of suitablecement and by screws 86 passed through holes 88 and 90 respectively insegments 50 and 49 and nuts 92 threaded on the ends of screws 86. Theends of dipole elements 24 are also preferably cemented within channels52 and 54 respectively of segments 49 and 50. The cementing of segments49 and 50 together and of dipole elements 24 within channels 49 and 50provides a water-tight and air tight-seal against the adverse effects ofweather and environmental pollution.

The fan dipole assembly may be assembled as follows:

Plate 68 of terminal assembly 66 is cemented in recess 62 of segment 49of bracket 43 and the ends of dipole elements 24 bared to exposeconductors 75 which are terminated to plate 68 by soldering. Segment 50is then secured to segment 49 by cementing and by screws 86 and nuts 92with the ends of dipole elements 24 cemented in channels 52 and 54respectively of segments 49 and 50. Conductor 74 of wire 60 is thenwound around screw and trapped between nuts 72 threaded thereon afterwire 60 is passed through the bore formed by channels 56 and 58.

Cover plate is then seated on ledge 78 and cap nut 84 threaded on theend of screw 70 to secure plate 80 to segment 50.

A pair of fan dipole assemblies may be secured to boom 12 to form a fandipole and simultaneously secured to mast 14 in the manner illustratedin FIGS. 2

and 3.

Although bracket 43 is shown as supporting three dipole elements it willbe understood that any number of dipole or other antenna elements may besupported thereby. It will also be understood that bracket 43 may bemade of any insulating material such as nylon or the like which may beformed into a rigid member.

Thus, it is seen that there is provided an antenna bracket according tothe present invention which is resistant to corrosion and oxidationcaused by adverse weather effects and environmental pollution. It mayalso be seen'that there is provided a substantially watertight andair-tight electrical connection between the antenna elements supportedby the bracket and a leadin wire and that said antenna bracket issubstantially maintenance-free over a long period of time and may bequickly assembled into an antenna assembly.

What is claimed is:

1. An antenna bracket comprising means for supporting at least oneantenna element in a substantially airand-water tight seal, saidsupporting means having an angled member of insulating material, saidmember having first and second legs, said first leg having a channeladapted to receive a portion of a support member to which the bracket isto be secured, said second leg having at least one bore adapted toreceive an end of an antenna element, said second leg further having achamber communicating with said bore and means for electricallyconnecting said at least one antenna element to a lead-in wire in suchmanner that said electrical connection is air-and water-tight, saidelectrical connecting means comprising a terminal assembly of conductivematerial positioned within said chamber, said terminal assembly beingadapted to have said antenna element electrically connected thereto.

2. The antenna bracket of claim 1 wherein said supporting means isprovided with means for receiving a portion ofa support member to whichthe bracket is to be secured.

3. The antenna bracket of claim 2 wherein said supporting meanscomprises a member of insulating material and wherein said receivingmeans comprises a channel in said member adapted to receive a portion ofa support member to which said bracket is to be secured.

4. The antenna bracket of claim 1 wherein said second leg has a secondbore communicating with said chamber and adapted to receive the end of alead-in wire and wherein said terminal assembly includes means forelectrically connecting said lead-in wire thereto.

5. The antenna bracket of claim 1 wherein said second leg of said angledmember comprises a first segment integral with said first leg and asecond separable segment adapted to be secured to said first segment,and wherein said at least one antenna element receiving bore comprisescomplementary channels in opposing faces respectively of said first andsecond segments of said second leg.

6. The antenna bracket of claim 5 wherein said chamber in said secondleg is comprised of a recess in said first segment of said second legand an aperture in said second segment of said second leg aligned withsaid recess when said segments are secured together.

7. The antenna bracket of claim 6 including a cover plate of insulatingmaterial adapted to be secured to said second segment of said second legto cover said aperture therein.

8. The antenna bracket of claim 1 wherein said chamber in said secondleg is comprised of a recess therein and including a cover plate ofinsulating material adapted to be secured to said second leg to coversaid recess.

9. The antenna bracket of claim 1 wherein said terminal assemblycomprises a plate adapted to be positioned in the bottom of said chamberand a screw integral with said plate and projecting substantiallyperpendicularly therefrom.

10. The antenna bracket of claim 9 wherein said second leg of saidangled member has a second bore communicating with said chamber andadapted to receive the end of a lead-in wire and wherein said terminalassembly includes at least one nut threaded on said screw, said end ofsaid lead-in wire being adapted to be electrically connected to saidassembly by trapping it between said nut and said plate.

11. The antenna bracket of claim 9 wherein said second leg of saidangled member has a second bore communicating with said chamber andadapted to receive the end of a lead-in wire and wherein said terminalassembly includes a pair of nuts threaded on said screw, said nuts beingadapted to electrically connect said lead-in wire to said assembly bytrapping an end thereof between said nuts.

12. An antenna assembly comprising means for supporting at least oneantenna element in a substantially airand water-tight seal, at least oneantenna element having an outer surface which is substantially airandwater-tight supported by said supporting means, said supporting meanshaving means for electrically connecting said at least one antennaelement to a lead-in wire in such manner that said electrical connectionis airand water-tight, said supporting means comprising an angled memberof insulating material, said member having first and second legs, saidfirst leg having a channel adapted to receive a portion of a supportmember to which the bracket is to be secured, said second leg having atleast one bore, said at least one antenna element having an end securedin said bore in said second leg, in an airand water-tight manner, saidsecond leg further having a recess therein communicating with said boreand said electrically connecting means comprising a terminal assembly ofconductive material positioned within said recess, said at least oneantenna element being electrically connected to said terminal assembly.

13. The antenna assembly of claim 12 wherein said supporting means isprovided with means for receiving a portion of a support member to whichsaid assembly is to be secured.

14. The antenna assembly of claim 12 wherein said second leg has afurther bore communicating with said recess and adapted to receive anend of a lead-in wire and wherein said terminal assembly comprises aplate, a screw projecting from said plate and a pair of nuts threaded onsaid screw, said nuts being adapted to terminate said lead-in wire tosaid assembly by trapping an end thereof between said nuts.

15. The antenna assembly of claim 14 including a cover plate ofinsulating material secured to said second leg overlying said recess.

16. The antenna assembly of claim 15 wherein said cover plate isprovided with a bore, wherein said screw extends through said bore insaid cover plate and including a cap nut of insulating material threadedon the end of said screw to secure said cover plate to said second leg.

17. The antenna assembly of claim 16 wherein said second leg comprises afirst segment integral with said first leg and a second separablesegment adapted to be secured to said first segment, wherein said boresin said second leg comprise complementary channels in opposing facesrespectively of said first and second segments of said second leg andwherein said recess in said second leg comprises a recess in said firstsegment and an aperture in said second segment aligned with said recessin said first segment when said segments are secured together.

18. The antenna assembly of claim 12 wherein said antenna elementcomprises coaxial cable sheathed in fiberglass.

1. An antenna bracket comprising means for supporting at least oneantenna element in a substantially air-and-water tight seal, saidsupporting means having an angled member of insulating material, saidmember having first and second legs, said first leg having a channeladapted to receive a portion of a support member to which the bracket isto be secured, said second leg having at least one bore adapted toreceive an end of an antenna element, said second leg further having achamber communicating with said bore and means for electricallyconnecting said at least one antenna element to a lead-in wire in suchmanner that said electrical connection is air-and water-tight, saidelectrical connecting means comprising a terminal assembly of conductivematerial positioned within said chamber, said terminal assembly beingadapted to have said antenna element electrically connected thereto. 2.The antenna bracket of claim 1 wherein said supporting means is providedwith means for receiving a portion of a support member to which thebracket is to be secured.
 3. The antenna bracket of claim 2 wherein saidsupporting means comprises a member of insulating material and whereinsaid receiving means comprises a channel in said member adapted toreceive a portion of a support member to which said bracket is to besecured.
 4. The antenna bracket of claim 1 wherein said second leg has asecond bore communicating with said chamber and adapted to receive theend of a lead-in wire and wherein said terminal assembly includes meansfor electrically connecting said lead-in wire thereto.
 5. The antennabracket of claim 1 wherein said second leg of said angled membercomprises a first segment integral with said first leg and a secondseparable segment adapted to be secured to said first segment, andwherein said at least one antenna element receiving bore comprisescomplementary channels in opposing faces respectively of said first andsecond segments of said second leg.
 6. The antenna bracket of claim 5wherein said chamber in said second leg is comprised of a recess in saidfirst segment of said second leg and an aperture in said second segmentof said second leg aligned with said recess when said segments aresecured together.
 7. The antenna bracket of claim 6 including a coverplate of insulating material adapted to be secured to said secondsegment of said second leg to cover said aperture therein.
 8. Theantenna bracket of claim 1 wherein said chamber in said second leg iscomprised of a recess therein and including a cover plate of insulatingmaterial adapted to be secured to said second leg to cover said recess.9. The antenna bracket of claim 1 wherein said terminal assemblycomprises a plate adapted to be positioned in the bottom of said chamberand a screw integral with said plate and projecting substantiallyperpendicularly therefrom.
 10. The antenna bracket of claim 9 whereinsaid second leg of said angled member has a second bore communicatingwith said chamber and adapted to receive the end of a lead-in wire andwherein said terminal assembly includes at least one nut threaded onsaid screw, said end of said lead-in wire being adapted to beelectrically connected to said assembly by trapping it between said nutand said plate.
 11. The antenna bracket of claim 9 wherein said secondleg of said angled member has a second bore communicating with saidchamber and adapted to receive the end of a lead-in wire and whereinsaid terminal assembly includes a pair of nuts threaded on said screw,said nuts being adapted to electrically connect said lead-in wire tosaid assembly by trapping an end thereof between said nuts.
 12. Anantenna assembly comprising means for supporting at least one antennaelement in a substantially air- and water-tight seal, at least oneantenna element having an outer surface which is substantially air- andwater-tight supported by said supporting means, said supporting meanshaving means for electrically connecting said at least one antennaelement to a lead-in wire in such manner that said electrical connectionis air- and water-tight, said supporting means comprising an angledmember of insulating material, said member having first and second legs,said first leg having a channel adapted to receive a portion of asupport member to which the bracket is to be secured, said second leghaving at least one bore, said at least one antenna element having anend secured in said bore in said second leg, in an air-and water-tightmanner, said second leg further having a recess therein communicatingwith said bore and said electrically connecting means comprising aterminal assembly of conductive material positioned within said recess,said at least one antenna element being electrically connected to saidterminal assembly.
 13. The antenna assembly of claim 12 wherein saidsupporting means is provided with means for receiving a portion of asupport member to which said assembly is to be secured.
 14. The antennaassembly of claim 12 wherein said second leg has a further borecommunicating with said recess and adapted to receive an end of alead-in wire and wherein said terminal assembly comprises a plate, ascrew projecting from said plate and a pair of nuts threaded on saidscrew, said nuts being adapted to terminate said lead-in wire to saidassembly by trapping an end thereof between said nuts.
 15. The antennaassembly of claim 14 including a cover plate of insulating materialsecured to said second leg overlying said recess.
 16. The antennaassembly of claim 15 wherein said cover plate is provided with a bore,wherein said screw extends through said bore in said cover plate andincluding a cap nut of insulating material threaded on the end of saidscrew to secure said cover plate to said second leg.
 17. The antennaassembly of claim 16 wherein said second leg comprises a first segmentintegral with said first leg and a second separable segment adapted tobe secured to said first segment, wherein said bores in said second legcomprise complementary channels in opposing faces respectively of saidfirst and second segments of said second leg and wherein said recess insaid second leg comprises a recess in said first segment and an aperturein said second segment aligned with said recess in said first segmentwhen said segments are secured together.
 18. The antenna assembly ofclaim 12 wherein said antenna element comprises coaxial cable sheathedin fiberglass.